Globe Platinum Welcomes the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max with Exclusive Midnight Experiences

Globe Platinum has reimagined the traditional midnight smartphone launch, bringing together technology, fine dining, and personalized customer care to welcome the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Through exclusive dining and unboxing experiences across Manila, Cebu, and Davao, Platinum customers celebrated the arrival of the latest flagship devices in an intimate setting designed to make every moment meaningful.

Rather than following the conventional product launch format, Globe Platinum created carefully curated gatherings that highlighted exclusivity, thoughtful service, and early access to innovation. Customers also benefited from iPhone Forever, Globe’s annual flagship upgrade program, which offers a convenient way to experience the latest iPhone models.

Platinum for Platinum: Celebrating Community and Excellence

A defining feature of the simultaneous celebrations was the “Platinum for Platinum” concept, which brought customers together at establishments led by fellow Platinum members. The participating venues included TAGLISH Seafood Steakhouse, led by Chef Frances Tariga; The Pig & Palm, led by Chef Jason Atherton; and Mori & Mill, led by Anthony Ang.

By hosting the events at these establishments, Globe Platinum highlighted the achievements of its own community while creating opportunities for customers to connect over exceptional food and shared experiences. The initiative also celebrated culinary talent and entrepreneurial excellence, reinforcing the value of supporting businesses within the Platinum community.

The carefully planned dining and unboxing sessions transformed a product launch into a more personal occasion. Customers could enjoy the excitement of receiving their new devices while experiencing the hospitality and attention to detail associated with the Globe Platinum brand.

A Legacy of Innovation and Personalized Care

Globe’s latest iPhone launch builds on a longstanding relationship with Apple and a continuing commitment to improving the customer experience. Since introducing the iPhone 3G locally with Apple in 2008, the telecommunications provider has continued to evolve how customers access and enjoy flagship technology.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max celebrations reflect this ongoing approach, demonstrating how product innovation can be paired with thoughtful service to create a more seamless and rewarding experience.

For Globe Platinum, the goal extends beyond giving customers early access to new devices. It is also about making important technology milestones feel exclusive, convenient, and memorable.

Through its “Platinum for Platinum” initiative, curated dining experiences, and iPhone Forever program, Globe Platinum continues to connect innovation with personalized care—bringing technology and community together in a way that recognizes the value of its customers.

Vivo V80 Brings Galaxy-Inspired Starwish Purple Design to the Philippine Smartphone Market

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Smartphone brand vivo is preparing to introduce the upcoming vivo V80 to the Philippine market, featuring Starwish Purple, a galaxy-inspired colorway designed for users who view technology as an extension of their personal style.

The new finish uses vivo’s Laser Holographic Lithography technology to create its True 3D Stellar Design. Visible to the naked eye, the technology produces layered, shimmering patterns across the phone’s back cover, creating a galaxy-like appearance that changes depending on the angle and lighting. From natural sunlight to indoor illumination and city lights, the reflective surface delivers a distinctive look throughout the day.

Designed with Gen Z consumers in mind, Starwish Purple combines smartphone aesthetics with self-expression. Its shifting purple hues offer a standout detail for users who enjoy coordinating their devices with their fashion, accessories, and social media content. The reflective finish can also serve as a visual accent in everyday photos, making the smartphone an additional element of a user’s personal aesthetic.

The vivo V80 was first teased through a Facebook post by vivo Philippines. The preview featured the brand’s newly announced vivo Friends Jake, Jungwon, and Sunghoon from K-pop group ENHYPEN, offering fans an early glimpse of the device ahead of its expected Philippine arrival.

Beyond its distinctive color, the vivo V80 features an upgraded, one-piece cold-carved glass construction. The design combines a refined appearance with a silky-smooth surface intended to provide a comfortable grip. Its glass finish is also designed to resist dust buildup, helping the device maintain a cleaner appearance during everyday use.

Adding to its visual identity, the smartphone incorporates a floating camera module that complements the layered, galaxy-inspired back cover. Together, these design elements create a contemporary look suited to different occasions, from daily activities to evening outings.

The upcoming vivo V80 reflects the growing appeal of smartphones that combine practical everyday use with distinctive styling. For consumers who prioritize aesthetics alongside their mobile devices, Starwish Purple offers another option in a market where design increasingly contributes to purchasing decisions.

Further details about the vivo V80’s Philippine launch have yet to be announced. Interested consumers can follow vivo Philippines on its official social media channels or visit the official vivo Philippines website for updates on the upcoming smartphone.

Navigate WEB3 Safely - Binance’s Guide to Protecting Digital Assets for Beginners

Manila, Philippines - Blockchain technology continues to redefine how we approach digital finance. The continued and still rapid rise of Web3 adoption has made Filipinos a key market for digital asset use, whether through investments, trading, or asset ownership. But adoption also brings risk; as more users step into the ecosystem, Filipinos are also becoming a prime target for bad actors. According to reports, Financial scam attempts target Filipinos almost every 2 days, resulting in 239 attempts per individual annually. The lack of deep understanding continues to fuel fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) and enables bad actors to take advantage and even scare off new adopters.

Breaking Industry Myths

News about illicit blockchain-related activities easily makes the front page; however, it is vital to look beyond just the sensationalized headlines. According to the 2023 Crypto Crime Report by Chainalysis, only 0.24% of cryptocurrency transactions are tied to cybercrime, including scams, darknet markets, stolen funds, and ransomware. The UN Office of Drugs and Crime’s report estimates that 2% to 5% of the global gross domestic product (GDP), amounting to $ 800 billion to $ 2 trillion in laundered through the traditional cash, or fiat, system. Both pose a real threat to Filipino users, resulting in financial losses.

Another common misconception is that cryptocurrency is untraceable, when in reality blockchain transactions are viewable by everyone with just a few clicks. Blockchain technology operates on a public ledger where every transaction is recorded and traceable with the use of unique wallet addresses. This level of transparency enables and assists local law enforcement in tracing transfers, flagging suspicious activities, and in some cases even recovering compromised funds.

On public blockchains, the ledger exposes activity, rather than hiding it, though privacy tools remain an exception that regulators are actively addressing.

Dissecting the anatomy of a local scam

Recent news has been making the rounds on the internet about how a deposit of ₱ 50,000 can turn into millions within three months just by investing in cryptocurrency. The illicit activity targets new users, luring them into fake trading platforms with the promise of unrealistically fast returns.

But how do you determine when a scam is a scam, apart from promises that are too good to be true?

The Fake Platform & Display Trap

Scammers often guide victims through custom links or fake trading applications that show initial deposits converted into US dollars alongside fake profit gains. These can range from shortened links to fake or deliberately misspelled and disguised links, such as swapping the lowercase letter l for an uppercase letter i. Links that redirect you to custom messaging channels rather than the actual exchange platforms should also raise red flags.

The "Reactivation Fee" Scheme

Once victims attempt to withdraw their earnings, scammers abruptly freeze the account. They then demand a "reactivation fee" (often ranging from ₱5,000 to ₱10,000), claiming the account was hacked or violated an "upline policy." Once paid, the scammers abandon the group chats, leaving victims unable to retrieve their money.

The "Taste of Profit" Tactic:

Authorities warn that giving investors a small initial payout is a deliberate strategy to build false confidence, coercing victims into depositing progressively larger sums before freezing their access completely.

Beyond fake trading platforms, new users must remain vigilant against localized phishing text scams, fake customer service accounts, and elaborate "pig butchering" schemes designed to compromise private keys.

How to protect yourself

Building peace of mind requires a strong foundational awareness and practicing daily security habits. If you’re new, or even a long-time cryptocurrency adopter, here are a few steps that you can follow:

• Rely on trusted resources - Arm yourself with knowledge before making financial decisions. Use free resources and blockchain educational portals to learn the basics, understand risk management, and protect your funds and wallet.“Education is the first line of defense in Web3. Free resources like Binance Academy exist so that every user, from the first-timer to the veteran, can spot red flags before any funds are at risk,” says Jen Bilango, Binance’s General Manager for the Philippines.

• Verify, verify, verify - Always trade on platforms that enforce user security measures such as KYC (Know Your Customer) and CDD (Customer Due Diligence) practices. These identity checks serve as the frontline defense for users and discourage bad actors from registering.

• Always double-check your transactions - Never release tokens until you have independently logged into your account or e-wallet to confirm that your funds have been fully received.

• Avoid unauthorized platforms and banned assets - Stay away from unlicensed exchanges and privacy tokens that are prohibited under regulatory frameworks implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). When trading on a global exchange, choose one that serves Filipino users through an SEC-registered Crypto Asset Intermediary (CAI), the local entity responsible for compliance and user protection. In the Philippines, Binance has partnered with BlockShoals Technologies, Inc. to serve Filipino users within the local regulatory framework.

"Protection doesn't begin when something goes wrong; it begins before anyone trades. BlockShoals operates as a Crypto Asset Intermediary (CAI) in the SEC's Strategic Regulatory Sandbox as we build toward full compliance with the Commission's rules for crypto-asset service providers. We hold ourselves accountable to every Filipino user we serve by monitoring for and flagging risks, and staying reachable when they need help. That accountability is how we earn trust," said Alfredo "Al" S. Panlilio, Chairman of BlockShoals Technologies, Inc.If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. - Understand that cryptocurrency is not a get-rich-quick scheme and requires your effort and input for your funds to grow and be utilized.

Find help when needed

New crypto adopters don’t have to go into the Web3 landscape alone. Supporting and protecting the digital ecosystem is a shared responsibility between key industry players, law enforcement agencies, and government regulators. Check local laws and regulations, study SEC and BSP memoranda, and know that help is available, whether through platform customer support or even law enforcement agencies like the Philippine National Police via hotline 117 and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center via hotline 1326.

By arming users with the right educational resources, abiding by local security standards, and continuous, proactive collaboration with key sectors, we can continue to build a safer, more transparent, and compliant Web3 ecosystem for Filipinos.

The Next Frontier: MVP Group Leaders Urged to Go Beyond AI Use Cases, Transform Workflows in ‘AI 2.0’ Era

With artificial intelligence rapidly evolving, organizations must go beyond simple AI use cases and instead rethink workflows, reimagine organizations, measure ROI based on business outcomes that matter, and lead and govern for AI risk management, architecture, and security.

This was among the key insights discussed at the 20th Annual Corporate Governance Enhancement Session (ACGES), themed “The Next Advantage: Driving Strategic Business Growth Through AI,” where global AI thought leader Dr. Ayesha Khanna, CEO and Co-Founder of ADDO AI and Founder of Amplify, highlighted the emergence of the Agentic Era and the growing role of autonomous AI agents in transforming how businesses operate.

Group Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan joined more than 500 directors, advisory board members, and executives from across the ACGES participating companies at the annual governance session held on October 2, 2026, at Makati Shangri-La. Attendees represented a broad cross-section of the Group's businesses, including publicly listed companies, PLDT Inc. (PLDT), Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Philex Mining Corporation, PXP Energy Corporation, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad), and Roxas Holdings Inc. (RHI); as well as public companies Digital Telecommunications Phils, Inc. (Digitel), Asian Hospital, Inc., Medical Doctors, Inc. (Makati Medical Center), Lucena United Doctors, Inc., Diliman Doctors Hospital, Inc., and Davao Doctors Hospital (Clinica Hilario), Inc., and registered issuers NLEX Corporation and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC). Other attendees were from Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), Multisys Technologies Corporation (Multisys), ePLDT, Inc., VITRO Inc., PLDT Global Inc., Maya Philippines, Inc., Voyager Innovations, Inc., Kayana Solutions Inc., Metro Pacific Health Corporation, Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation (mWell), Cignal TV, Inc., TV5 Network, Inc., and MediaQuest Holdings, Inc.

‘Bet on humanity’

In his welcome address, PLDT Director, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer Menardo “Butch” G. Jimenez, Jr. drew from his own experience using AI to support decision-making and enterprise transformation, citing AI's potential to enhance productivity and accelerate innovation while emphasizing the importance of retaining human judgment in an increasingly AI-enabled world.

“What if AI stops the next generation from learning how to think? What if they stop because something else is doing the thinking for them? So that’s something to be concerned about,” said Jimenez, underscoring the need to preserve critical thinking and accountability and ensure responsible adoption to better navigate both opportunities and risks presented by emerging technologies. “Between betting on AI and betting on humanity, I will bet on humanity. We’ll figure it out eventually.”

Workflows, not just AI use cases

In her keynote address, Dr. Khanna urged companies to move beyond AI use cases and focus instead on transforming workflows to drive growth, especially as industries enter the next era of AI, where AI agents are expected to lead.

“To succeed in the agentic era, we must stop using old-school words like ‘use case’. This notion of specific small AI achievements is no longer how people are thinking. It has failed. People now think of entire workflows,” she said, adding that organizations that successfully scale AI will be those that align technology investments with strategy while building the talent, governance frameworks, and operating models needed to thrive in the AI era.

The session also featured a fireside chat moderated by PLDT and Smart Public Engagement Group Head Roby Alampay, with Dr. Khanna and PLDT Independent Director Dr. Erika Fille T. Legara.

The discussion emphasized that successful AI transformation starts with clear business and customer outcomes, supported by the right technology, data, and redesigned workflows. Panelists also stressed that human accountability must remain central as AI gains greater autonomy, making AI fluency and the ability to bridge technology and business increasingly important skills.

For the Philippines, this shift presents an opportunity to strengthen its position in the emerging AI economy. “We are fast learners. We are digital natives,” said Dr. Legara, adding that there is a need to fundamentally rethink the current Philippine curriculum to be able to produce the workforce of the future and develop Filipino professionals who can combine AI expertise with business strategy. “What we need for organizations to transform are people who understand both worlds, and who can translate the language of business and the language of tech,” she said.

The Annual Corporate Governance Enhancement Session is a flagship program of the PLDT Board, in collaboration with other ACGES participating companies, that brings together Group directors and officers to strengthen governance practices and explore emerging trends shaping business leadership. Now in its 20th year, ACGES continues to serve as a strategic platform for governance learning and collaboration among the companies. [

Globe Leads NTC SMS Quality Test, Posts Strong Mobile Speeds and Call Reliability

Globe delivered strong results in mobile data, messaging, and voice services in the latest joint quality-of-service tests conducted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), recording download speeds of up to 381 Mbps while meeting regulatory standards for SMS success and dropped calls. The findings reinforce broader government data showing measurable improvements in Globe’s network performance throughout 2026.

In tests conducted across Metro Manila, Globe recorded the highest average SMS success ratio among the three mobile operators at 99.41%, making it the only provider to meet the NTC’s prescribed standard of above 99%. Globe also posted a 0.74% average call drop ratio, comfortably within the regulator’s threshold of below 2%, demonstrating strong performance in essential communication services.

Mobile broadband testing likewise showed Globe capable of delivering high-speed connectivity, with a peak download speed of 381 Mbps. Across all three operators, the NTC reported that 113 of 142 test campaigns recorded speeds above 50 Mbps, describing mobile broadband performance in most areas tested as very satisfactory.

“These results demonstrate the strength of Globe’s network in delivering the essential services Filipinos rely on every day, from making calls and sending messages to accessing mobile data,” said Atty. Froilan Castelo, Globe General Counsel. “We welcome the NTC’s continued monitoring as it provides an important measure of service quality and helps us identify where further improvements are needed.”

The NTC findings come alongside broader improvements recorded by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) through its nationwide Oplan Bantay Signal monitoring. Globe’s overall performance score increased from 77.2 in January to a year-high 82.6 in September, while average download speed rose 41% from 36.5 Mbps to 51.53 Mbps over the same period.

Reliability has also remained a clear strength despite Globe serving the country’s largest share of mobile subscribers. In September, Globe accounted for 44.76% of the mobile market but only 6.1% of disconnection complaints, with complaints declining 64% from January levels, according to the DICT’s Telco Report Card.

Globe continues to strengthen its network through targeted infrastructure improvements, accelerated site deployment, and the expansion of coverage in underserved communities. These efforts include prioritizing areas where additional infrastructure can benefit more Filipinos and pursuing satellite direct-to-cell technology to extend connectivity beyond the reach of traditional mobile networks.